November 3, 2011
Looking after your guests
I always thought that intolerance increased as you get older. Rather like the size of your ears.
Sitting in front of a particularly enticing Belgian bun at a cafe in Pevensey Bay yesterday , I was confronted by a glace cherry atop the sticky treat. Does anyone in the developed world, where hunger is little more than a vaguely peckish feeling, actually enjoy these monstrosities?
I won’t even veer towards the topic of poor table manners and risk whining like a clearly grumpy old(er) man.
Still, my intolerances are insignificant compared to the food intolerances and allergies suffered by an increasing number of children seemingly from birth.
Our four-year old, Raffy, is allergic to dairy products, eggs, many nuts and all manner of other elements. Still, at least we’re then well positioned to understand and cater for the diets of the many allergy-sufferers who pass through our door. You can sense the relief of mothers when they call to book and discuss breakfast options for little Oscar and hear that soya milk and yoghurts are permanently on offer.
We shouldn’t sound over-confident – we’ve only just got our long-stay Middle Eastern guests back onside after offering them bacon for breakfast. The joyful combination of young children and sleep deprivation….